PhD positions

Context: The DC position “E-Sailor 1” will advance the ESTCube-LuNa concept by developing high-fidelity orbital simulations and establishing the deep space E-sail mission design. Within the E-Sailors network, the candidate will define payload and nanospacecraft platform requirements and develop E-sail characterization techniques using RF ranging and Langmuir probes (LP). The work will include developing the Electric Sail Mission Expeditor (ESME) software to simulate the Coulomb drag interaction that generates E-sail thrust, preparing the candidate to lead future deep space missions.
Research objectives:
– contribute to the Foresail-1p in-orbit plasma brake results analysis.
– to develop upcoming in-orbit E-sail experiments for future missions in lunar orbits and deep space
– to learn the E-sail hardware and mission development on the PI level
Supervisors: Main supervisor Aditya Savio Paul (UT). Co-supervisors: Pekka Janhunen (FMI), Iaroslav Iakubivskyi (SA, industrial)
Hiring institution: University of Tartu
How to apply: TBA

Context: Develop mission and experiment designs for demonstrating the E-sail in solar wind and for utilizing the E-sail for visiting small Solar System bodies and potential interstellar objects.
Research objectives:
– to develop a standard approach for designing E-sail missions for technology demonstration and for science
– to design nanospacecraft examples with various E-sail capabilities
– to lead ESTCube-LuNa and space plasma missions systems engineering
Supervisors: Main supervisor Mykola Ivchenko (KTH). Co-supervisor: Andris Vaivads (VUAS)
Hiring institution: KTH Royal Institute of Technology
How to apply: TBA

Context: The “E-Sailor 3” position focuses on identifying and developing next-generation solar-wind propulsion concepts beyond the traditional E-sail. The doctoral candidate will analyze, model, and test innovative ideas such as the Dipole Drive and solar-wind ion focusing thrusters. The goal is to validate these concepts through simulations and experiments and assess their potential for future space missions.
Research objectives:
– to map, review and analyse solar-wind propulsion technologies, such as Dipole Drive (DD) and solar-wind ion focusing thruster
– to perform the initial study of the DD – develop models and first prototypes
– to characterise the DD and evaluate its applicability in future science missions
Supervisors: Main supervisor Martin Tajmar (TUD). Co-supervisor: Pekka Janhunen (FMI)
Hiring institution: TUD Dresden of Technology
How to apply: TBA

Context: The “E-Sailor 4” doctoral position focuses on designing and developing an advanced E-sail payload for the ESTCube-LuNa nanospacecraft, building on experience from earlier missions like ESTCube-1, ESTCube-2, and Foresail-1p. The candidate will analyze past mission data, define new payload requirements, and design, prototype, and test the mechanical, electrical, and deployment subsystems. The project will culminate in a validated E-sail payload prototype and industrial training at Space Application, strengthening the foundation for future nanospacecraft missions using E-sail propulsion.
Research objectives:
– to gather lessons learned from previous missions and requirement for new E-sail experiment payloads
– to design an E-sail payload for ESTCube-LuNa
– to manufacture and test ESTCube-LuNa E-sail payload prototype
Supervisors: Main supervisor Jaan Praks (Aalto). Co-supervisors: Petri Toivanen (FMI). Iaroslav Iakubivskyi (SA, industrial)
Hiring institution: Aalto University
How to apply: TBA

Context: The “E-Sailor 5” position focuses on developing a high-voltage power processing unit (PPU) to supply the E-sail electron emitter with the required voltages and currents. The candidate will design and test efficient, space-ready PPU prototypes capable of operating in vacuum conditions and supporting related propulsion concepts. The final design will be integrated into the ESTCube-LuNa mission, contributing to reliable E-sail operation in space.
Research objectives:
– to design and manufacture the operation-grade E-sail HV source ~20 kV for ESTCube-LuNa
– test the HV source for the ESTCube-LuNa spec
– to support payload integration of HV
Supervisors: Main supervisor Martin Tajmar (TUD). Co-supervisor: Jaan Praks (Aalto)
Hiring institution: TUD Dresden of Technology
How to apply: TBA

Context: The “E-Sailor 6” position focuses on developing an electron gun for the ESTCube-LuNa mission, capable of accelerating electrons to 20 kV while meeting strict size, weight, and environmental constraints. The candidate will design, prototype, and test the electron emitter in collaboration with E-Sailor 5 to ensure electrical compatibility and reliability in space conditions. The project culminates in integrating a validated electron gun into the ESTCube-LuNa payload.
Research objectives:
– to design and manufacture the operation-grade E-sail EE for ESTCube-LuNa
– test the EE for ESTCube-LuNa spec
– to support payload integration of EE
Supervisors: Main supervisor Martin Tajmar (TUD). Co-supervisor: Jaan Praks (Aalto)
Hiring institution: TUD Dresden of Technology
How to apply: TBA

Context: Design state-of-the-art solar wind propulsion systems and their components
Research objectives:
– to model and design LP for ESTCube-LuNa
– to manufacture and test the LP for ESTCube-LuNa spec
– to take special care of the LP deployment mechanism along with the ESTCube-LuNa deployable panels
– to support payload integration
Supervisors: Main supervisor Mykola Ivchenko. Co-supervisor: Aditya Savio Paul (UT)
Hiring institution: KTH Royal Institute of Technology
How to apply: TBA

Context: The E-Sailor 8 doctoral position aims to develop advanced methods for safe E-sail tether deployment through simulation, lab testing, and in-orbit validation. The researcher will build 3D models for analysis and monitoring, study data from the Foresail-1p mission, and propose improved deployment and safety strategies. The work will produce validated models and methods to support future E-sail missions.
Research objectives:
– to develop tether and spacecraft models for dynamical simulation and photorealistic visual monitoring, such as RT3D (E-Sailor 15)
– to perform laboratory and in-orbit tests with Foresail-1p mission
– to propose and develop E-sail tether deployment schemes and scenarios assisted with camera
Supervisors: Main supervisor Jaan Praks (Aalto). Co-supervisor: Jaan Viru (CS, industrial)
Hiring institution: Aalto University
How to apply: TBA

Context: The doctoral position at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (VUAS, Latvia) focuses on advancing E-sail experiment design, mission simulations, and deep space applications under Prof. Andris Vaivads. The researcher will develop high-fidelity propulsion simulations and support mission design using VUAS’s advanced facilities, including the VIRAC radio telescopes and high-performance computing clusters. Working within the E-Sailors network, the DC will collaborate on payload definition, validation of E-sail measurement techniques, and innovative nanospacecraft concepts. Training and secondments will prepare the candidate to lead future deep space E-sail missions.
Research objectives:
– to prepare the requirements and specification for ESTCube-LuNa communications via RT16 and RT31
– to prepare the ground segment experiment design for ESTCube-LuNa ranging
– to perform preliminary experiments in modelling and using another spacecraft as signal source
– to support payload integration
Supervisors: Main supervisor Andris Vaivads (VUAS). Co-supervisor: Mykola Ivchenko (KTH)
Hiring institution: Ventspils University of Applied Sciences
How to apply: TBA

Context: The E-Sailor 10 doctoral position focuses on developing the space segment of lunar nanospacecraft communication and ranging systems, in collaboration with E-Sailor 9 (ground segment). The researcher will design the spacecraft transponder and on-board communication systems, and establish procedures for communication and RF ranging to support orbit determination experiments.
Research objectives:
– to prepare the requirements, specification and design for ESTCube-LuNa on-board communications considering the constrain on E-sail rotation
– to prepare the space segment experiment design for ESTCube-LuNa ranging
– to perform preliminary experiments in modelling, electromagnetic compatibility chamber and outdoors
Supervisors: Main supervisor Ivo Müürsepp (TalTech). Co-supervisor: Aditya Savio Paul (UT), Janis Dalbins (UT)
Hiring institution: Tallinn University of Technology
How to apply: TBA

Context: The E-Sailor 11 doctoral position focuses on implementing visual navigation algorithms on embedded systems (MCU and FPGA). Working with E-Sailor 12 and E-Sailor 15 at Riga Technical University, the researcher will test algorithms using photorealistic datasets and real-time simulations. Key tasks include developing an MCU-based lunar orbit propagator, FPGA-based image classification and object detection, and implementing orbital triangulation, attitude determination, and Kalman filtering. The work emphasizes FPGA gateware design, simulation verification, and hardware testing to enable real-time visual navigation for the ESTCube-LuNa mission.
Research objectives:
– to design and develop the TCN on-board computer with FPGA
– to implement TNC algorithms for FPGA (based on E-Sailor 12 work)
– to perform preliminary on-board computer test results with a prototype and screen-in-the-loop
Supervisors: Main supervisor Aditya Savio Paul (UT). Co-supervisors: Mihkel Pajusalu (UT), Andris Slavinskis (NC, industrial), Jaan Viru (CS, industrial)
Hiring institution: University of Tartu
How to apply: TBA

Context: The E-Sailor 12 doctoral position focuses on developing and verifying visual navigation algorithms on a PC-based simulation platform. The researcher will create high-fidelity models of lunar orbit propagation, image classification, object detection, orbital triangulation, and Kalman filtering. Using photorealistic datasets and real-time simulations (from E-Sailor 15), the PC version will emulate spacecraft conditions and serve as a blueprint for embedded implementations by E-Sailor 11. The work includes dual verification between PC and hardware results to ensure accuracy, with the ultimate goal of creating a reusable simulation architecture for future deep space navigation systems.
Research objectives:
– to develop and maintain the TNC software architecture which orchestrates the TNC cameras, FPGAs and CPUs
– to support E-sailor 11 on-board computer development and test
– to perform RT3D (E-Sailor 15) and screen-in-the-loop tests
Supervisors: Main supervisor Ali Arshad (RTU). Co-supervisors: Andris Slavinskis (NC, industrial), Jaan Viru (CS, industrial)
Hiring institution: Riga Technical University
How to apply: TBA

Context: The E-Sailor 13 doctoral position focuses on developing a multi-fidelity orbital propagator for spacecraft propelled by an electric sail (E-sail). Using thrust estimates from Particle-in-Cell simulations and accounting for spin plane orientation, the model will support both mission-level design and precise operations. The propagator will be integrated into the Electric Sail Mission Expeditor (ESME) tool, enhancing its trajectory modelling and optimisation capabilities through links with tools like DOCKS, STK, and GMAT. In collaboration with E-Sailor 14, the researcher will also develop E-sail control features and a trajectory library to make ESME a comprehensive, user-friendly mission design platform.
Research objectives:
– to develop Thrust per unit of tether length E-sail trajectory simulator
– to develop Thrust vector E-sail trajectory simulator
– to integrate all fidelity levels into a seamless user experience of ESME
– to support E-sail thrust and ranging experiments by E-Sailor 1 and E-Sailor 9
Supervisors: Main supervisor Lorenzo Niccolai (UNIPI). Co-supervisors: Giovanni Mengali (UNIPI), Marco Bassetto (UNIPI), Aditya Savio Paul (UT)
Hiring institution: University of Pisa
How to apply: TBA

Context: The E-Sailor 14 doctoral position focuses on developing and analysing control algorithms for the ESTCube-LuNa mission—the first E-sail demonstration in the solar wind—and for future deep space applications. Key tasks include studying E-sail manoeuvrability and thrust/torque behaviour in lunar orbit, implementing control methods in the Electric Sail Mission Expeditor (ESME) tool, designing deployment and spin control strategies, and evaluating their suitability for various mission scenarios.
Research objectives:
– to design several approaches for E-sail deployment, spin plane orientation and spin rate control
– to provide detailed analysis on the most suitable applications of each spin control method (e.g. RU for single-tehter)
– to develop and implement E-sail control methods in ESME
– to analyse internally-fixed spin plane E-sail manoeuvrability in lunar orbit
Supervisors: Main supervisor Aditya Savio Paul (UT). Co-supervisor Mihkel Pajusalu (UT), Perttu Yli-Opas (APT)
Hiring institution: University of Tartu
How to apply: TBA

Context: The E-Sailor 15 doctoral position focuses on developing a high-fidelity visual simulation platform for spacecraft navigation using Unreal Engine 5 (UE5). The researcher will create a photorealistic environment representing the spacecraft’s orbital surroundings and integrate virtual sensors (star tracker, Sun sensor, gyroscope) with configurable parameters. The system will generate ground truth data, provide real-time feedback loops, and enable system-in-the-loop testing with E-Sailor 11 and 12. This work supports algorithm validation, sensor fusion, and hardware-in-the-loop simulations, ensuring a realistic and reliable testing framework that advances autonomous navigation and flight readiness for E-sail missions.
Research objectives:
– to advance the RT3D functionality with navigation and orbital features
– to provide navigation environment and dataset support for E-Sailor 11 and E-Sailor 12
– to support industrial partners with navigation and scientific datasets
Supervisors: Main supervisor Ali Arshad (RTU). Co-supervisors: Jaan Viru (CS, industrial), Andris Slavinskis (NC, industrial)
Hiring institution: Riga Technical University
How to apply: TBA